One of Costa Rica’s most elite and expensive private schools will see a leadership change in January. High school Principal Gloria Doll will become director of the CountryDay School’s main campus in Escazú, southwest of San José.
The school’s current director, Robert Trent, will continue to lead a second campus in the northwestern province of Guanacaste until his resignation in June, when an outsider will likely replace him, he said. Director of both campuses for nearly six years, Trent said, “It’s time to do something different now.”
With tuition topping $9,000 a year, Country Day sells itself as a prep school for U.S. colleges.
Trent, 60, said he will now return to Guadalajara, Mexico, where he directed an American school before Country Day, to rekindle old friendships. He then hopes to direct another international school, although he has not yet found a job.
“I’m not in any rush,” he said. “I’m looking forward to some down time. Director jobs are pretty high pressure.”
During his tenure, Trent worked on bringing new technology to the school – wireless Internet, projectors, paperless report cards. He also worked to remodel the Guanacaste campus.
Busy sorting out logistics, Doll said she had no concrete plans for her tenure. But whatever course she takes, she wants everyone in the school community, including the parents, on board.
